The US Open women’s semifinal match between Coco Gauff (No. 6 seed) and Karolina Muchova (No. 10 seed) was halted in the second set due to a disturbance in the crowd. Both players left the court for their safety while security addressed the situation in the stands.
According to reports, climate change protesters were causing a commotion and shouting “end fossil fuels” in the row where they were seated. Three of the protesters left when security arrived, but one protester glued their feet to the cement floor.
An official statement by the US Open stated that three of the four protesters were escorted out of the stadium without incident. However, the fourth protester had to be safely removed by both the NYPD and medical personnel due to their actions. All four protesters were taken into NYPD custody.
At the time of the interruption, Gauff had already won the first set 6-4 and was leading 1-0 in the second set. Initially, Muchova requested medical attention and a trainer. Gauff, on the other hand, continued to practice her serve.
Although the players were given the option to leave the court, Gauff’s coaches advised her to stay on the court.
Gauff informed her box that the situation felt like a negotiation in a hostage situation. A few minutes later, both players left the court. After approximately 40 minutes, around 10 NYPD officers surrounded the remaining protester and escorted them out. Once the situation was resolved, the players were allowed back on the court and given time to warm up before the match resumed.
Stacey Allaster, the tournament director of the US Open, expressed her hope that such incidents would not occur again and stated that security and the NYPD will work together to prevent future disruptions.
